The Importance of Third Places

A couple of weeks ago, 30 funky-looking pianos were placed in public spaces around London, England with “Play Me, I’m Yours” printed on their sides. Despite their reputation for being a tad starchy, Londoners responded enthusiastically as professionals and amateurs alike stepped up to the piano while others gathered to sing along. The talent seems to be as diverse as the people who play. One pianist dressed as Chopin and a musical comedy duo played on 24 pianos within eight hours. 

The innovative, interactive art project was designed by artist Luke Jerram and sponsored by a non-profit arts group called Sing London to “get people talking to one another and to claim ownership and activate the public space”. He sees it as a blank canvas for everyone.

Old, unwanted pianos were collected, painted, and then secured to the ground with metal cables. A piano tuner travels among them to ensure they all stay in tune, and each has plastic covers in the event of rain. The initiative seems to have brought out the best in people as they politely relinquish their places at the piano to allow others to perform. Additionally, not a single piano has been vandalized.

The piano project vividly illustrates the concept of ‘third places,’ a term coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg. These are public spaces, distinct from the first place of home and the second place of work, where people can gather and interact. Oldenburg argues that these third places, which can include parks, bars, coffee shops, and general stores, are not just recreational spots but are crucial to fostering civic engagement and community vitality. 

Third places allow people to put aside their concerns and enjoy the company and conversation around them. Third places “host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.”  Additionally, social equality is promoted because the playing field is level, and everyone is there as a guest. This also pulls us away from our computers and TVs and provides a setting for grassroots politics, citizen involvement, and opportunities to express care and support for one another.

As those gathered around the piano in London will attest, third places reflect a more playful, light-hearted mood than is typically found in our homes and work settings. For those whose lives are caught up in the daily grind of home to work and back again, the sense of community gained from these third places is even more critical.

While we’re still likely to find these third places in smaller towns, they don’t seem to be as common in larger communities. Oldenburg, however, suggests we can and need to transform public spaces into vibrant community places, whether they’re parks, plazas, public squares, streets, sidewalks or other outdoor and indoor spaces with common public uses.

He suggests that the starting point for developing a concept for any public space is to accept that the community is the expert and work from the beginning to honour and utilize local talents and assets. Tapping the local expertise at the beginning of the process will also help create a sense of ownership in developing a third place that provides the essential sense of welcome and comfort.

Redesigning or building third places isn’t always easy, but ultimately, these places are a key strategy if we are to help find the sense of community and belonging that so many have lost.

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